We have a series Customer Case Studies, in which we take your stories and share your challenges and successes as a learning tool for other RunSignUp users. This Case Study focuses on a commitment to Race Day technology.

Erie Runners Club, RunSignUp, and Race Day

The Erie Runners Club invested in equipment and technology to make race day registration and check-in easier and more efficient.

About the Erie Runners Club and Big White Trailer

ERC was founded in 1976 to serve the running/racing needs of Northwestern PA, Western NY, and Northeastern OH offering their nearly 800 members at least one race each month. Club member Jim Lang is also the owner of the timing company Big White Trailer, timing and/or directing several of the club events, including the ERC St. Patrick’s Day Distance Festival.

Committing to Technology

Initially, the St Patrick’s Day Race only offered registration via paper; online registration was introduced as a compliment to the event. Since then, the Erie Runners Club has fully committed to technology to enhance the race experience. They purchased laptops, receipt printers, and barcode scanners to use as kiosks and operate the race day Check-In App.

Registration Kiosk

When someone forgot to print paper applications to take to packet pickup, Jim grabbed a laptop and set up a registration kiosk. After a quick test proved easy, they did all registrations at Packet Pickup via kiosk.

In total, they had 11 mailed-in paper applications, and ~50 Race Day paper entries.

A More Efficient Check-In Process

With their full suite of race day technology, ERC was able to offer a smooth race day. To
expedite the process:

They emailed all registrants with their barcode and a suggestion to print – about 1/3 of participants did bring their printed barcodes.

All runners got a printed receipt with their shirt information from the check-in desk; they were then moved to a separate shirt line to speed things up.

The club’s full commitment to technology allowed them to create a truly seamless check-in process. The settings they used for their Check-In App are below:

“Believe it – every problem I had with Saturday’s race was from a paper app on race day. NOTHING went wrong with check-in, receipt printing, or giveaways.”

– Jim Lang, Big White Trailer

If you have a success story about your race, store or club, big or small, email us
…we’d love to explore a Case Study on your topic!